Bow and forming machine therefor

ABSTRACT

Described is a novel bow configuration and apparatus for automatically forming such bows from continuous lengths of ribbon material, the bow being of the type comprising a plurality of spiral convolutions joined, as by a staple, at one point about their peripheries. The apparatus is characterized in that the ribbon is automatically fed to a winding machine, the bow formed, and a piece of pressure-sensitive tape or card stapled to the bow at the peripheral point of contact of the various bows, all of this occurring during one continuous cycle of the machine.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,286,888 11/1966 Cuttler et 223/46 3,291,352 12/1966 Grikis.................... 223/46 Primary Examiner-Pi1trick D. Lawson Assistant Examiner-G. V. Larkin AtmrneyBr0wn, Murray, Flick & Peckham Inventor Henry R. Fichter Pittsburgh, Pa. 752,535 Aug. 14, 1968 Feb. 16, 1971 Papercratt Corporation Pittsburgh, Pa. a corporation of Pennsylvania United States Patent [21 Appl. No.

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sum 3 OF 3 INVENTOR. HENRY R. F/CHTER A t rarneys BOW AND FORMING MACHINE THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, bows have been formed comprising a plurality of successive spiral convolutions of progressively larger diameter joined at one common point about their peripheries. Such bows, however, were formed by hand and usually difficulty was encountered in securing the convolutions together and fastening the completed bow to a gift wrapped object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As one object, the present invention seeks to provide a novel bow configuration comprising a plurality of successive spiral convolutions of progressively larger diameter joined, by a staple at one common point about their peripheries, to a tab having pressure-sensitive adhesive material on its lower face. In this manner, the bow can be manufactured and packaged; and it is necessary only for the user to remove the protective liner from the pressure-sensitive adhesive and press the tab against a giftwrapped object.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for automatically forming a bow of the type described above.

In accordance with the invention, the novel bow described herein is manufactured on a forming machine comprising a rotatable shaft, means for securing an end of a length of ribbon to the shaft, and a plate member secured to the shaft and rotatable therewith, the plate member having a face lying in a plane at right angles to the axis of the shaft. A plurality of pin members is carried on the plate member with the longitudinal axes of the pin members being parallel to the axis of the shaft. The pin members are radially spaced from the shaft and are normally retracted such that they do not project beyond the face of the plate member. However, as the shaft and plate member are rotated, the pin members are ejected during successive revolutions to project outwardly from the face of the plate member starting from the radially innermost pin member and progressing radially outwardly in sequence whereby convolutions of ribbon of progressively larger diameters will be wound about the shaft. Following the winding operation, the shaft and plate member are stoppedfa tab having pressuresensitive adhesive material thereon is projected outwardly over the shaft, and the tab and convolutions at their point of peripheral contact are simultaneously joined together by means of a staple.

Further, in accordance with the invention, the aforesaid rotatable shaft which carries the plate member is split adjacent to the plate member such that at the completion of a bowforming operation, the two parts of the shaft may be separated and the pins on the plate member retracted to permit the completed bow to fall into a receiving bin. Following this, the two parts of the shaft move together and another bow is formed in a succeeding cycle of the apparatus.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which fonn a part of this specification, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the novel bow of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention for forming the bow of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates in detail the bow-end clamping mechanism of the apparatus of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 4A--4.l graphically illustrate the sequence of operations of the apparatus of FIG. 2.

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, the bow shown comprises a length of ribbon material formed into a number of spiral convolutions of gradually increasing diameters joined at one point about their peripheries to a tab 12. The convolutions 10 are joined to the tab 12 by means of a staple l4, and the lower surface of the tab 12 is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, covered with a backing liner 15. In this manner, the bow may be packaged and the user will simply remove the liner from the pressuresensitive adhesive and press it on a gift wrapped object, for example.

With reference now to FIGS. 2, 4A and 4B, the apparatusvarious cylinders and other elements of the mechanism as will be explained hereinafter.

Carried on the rotatable shaft 16 is an upright plate member 26 which rotates with the shaft 16. Drilled through the plate 26 are nine holes within which nine pins PI-P9 can each reciprocate from a position where their ends are flush with the front face 28 of plate 26 to a projected position, only the pin P4 being shown in its projected position beyond face 28 in FIG. 2, the ends of the remaining pins being shown flush with the face 28. Each pin P1--P9, in turn, is actuated by means of an associated pneumatic or the like cylinder 27 mounted on the reverse side of the plate 26. The pistons within cylinders 27 are spring loaded such that the pins Pl-P9 to which they are connected are retracted with the forward end of each pin being flush with the front face 28 of the plate 26. However, when any one of the cylinders 27 is pressurized, its associated pin P1P9 will be ejected outwardly. as shown by the P pin P4 in FIG. 2.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the end of shaft 16 projecting from the forward face 28 of the plate 26 has a semicylindrical portion 30 adapted to mate with a corresponding semicylindrical portion 32 on shaft 34. The shaft 34 is carried within a fixture 36 and is connected at its left end through arm 38 to a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 40, the arrangement being such that when the cylinder40 is pressurized in one direction, the shaft 34 will be caused to move to the left, thereby separating the two shafts 34 and 16. On the other hand, when the cylinder 40 is pressurized in the opposite direction, the shaft 34 is caused to move to the right, causing engagement of the two semicylindrical portions 30 and 32 whereby the shaft 34 will rotate with shaft 16.

The shaft 34 is provided with a slot 44 which carries a finger 46. The finger 46 is normally urged in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 by means of a leaf spring 48; and in this position it fits into a corresponding slot 50 on the shaft 16. When shaft 34 is retracted away from the end of shaft 16 by cylinder 40, a cam surface 52 on the finger 46 engages a bearing 53, thereby causing the finger to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. As will be seen, the finger 46 is utilized to hold the end of the ribbon after it is threaded into the machine.

As best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the ribbon to be formed into a bow is identified by the reference numeral 54 and passes between two plates 56 and 58 mounted on a reciprocable carriage 60. The carriage 60, in turn, is actuated by means of a cylinder 62 (FIG. 2) connected to the carriage 60 through rods 64. Above the plate 56 and spaced therefrom is a third plate 66. Tape material 68 having a pressure-sensitive adhesive material and liner on the underside thereof passes between the plates 56 and 66 as shown.

Mounted on the plate 66 is a first cylinder 70 having a piston 72 provided with a shear 74 which can move downwardly and sever the tape 68 and ribbon 54 simultaneously. A second cylinder 76 is carried by the plate 66 and provided with a piston 78 having a lower end 80 adapted to engage the tape 68 and clamp it against the plate 56. As will be seen, the cylinder 76 and its piston 78 are effective to advance the tape 68 during reciprocating movement of the carriage 60. Tape 68 and ribbon 54 are fed to the apparatus from suitable payoff reels, not shown.

Beneath the carriage 60 is a cylinder 82 (FIG. 2) having a piston rod 84 which carries a roller 86 at its forward end. The roller 86 passes through slot 87 in plate 58 and is adapted to engage the underside of the ribbon 54. As will be seen, the roller 86 is utilized to initially advance the ribbon 54 to and beneath the ribbon clamping finger 46 at the beginning of a ribbon winding operation.

The operation of the apparatus is explained in FIGS. 4A- -4J. At the beginning of the cycle, the plate 26 is in an upright position, shafts 34 and 16 are separated, and carriage 60 is in the position shown in FIG. 4A. The cams 24 of FIG. 1 initially pressurize cylinder 82 to advance the roller 86 to the left as shown in FIG. 4A. This advances the ribbon 54 to the left and over the shafts 34 and 16. Following this action, cylinder 40 of FIG. 1 is pressurized to move shaft 34 to the right whereby the semicylindrical portions 30 and 32 of the respective shafts l6 and 34 come into engagement with each other, while the finger 46 is caused to rotate into slot 50 by means of leaf spring 48. In this process, the end of the ribbon 54 becomes clamped to the shafts 34 and 16 which can now rotate together as a single unit.

Following clamping of the end of the ribbon 54 to the shafts 34 and 16, the carriage 60 is retracted by cylinder 62 to the approximate position shown in FIG. 4B. In this process, the tape 68 is permitted to slide between the plates 56 and 66 such that a forward portion 88 thereof now projects beyond the end of plate 66. As will be seen, this forward portion 88 forms the tab 12 (FIG. 1) of the next succeeding bow to be formed.

After the ribbon is thus fastened to shafts l6 and 34 as shown in FIG. 4B and the carriage 60 retracted, the shafts 34 and I6 and plate 26 are caused to rotate through 9%revolutions by motor 20. In FIG. 4C, the plate 26 is shown having rotated through one-half revolution. At approximately 180 of rotation during the first revolution, the cylinder 27 for pin P1 is pressurized, thereby causing the pin P1 to project outwardly from the forward face 28 of plate 26. Now, as the plate 26 continues to rotate (FIG. 4D), the pin PI will engage the ribbon 54. Continued rotation of plate 26 in a counterclockwise direction will cause the configuration shown in FIG. 4E. The plate has now rotated through l /revolutions and the innermost or smallest diameter loop has thus been formed. At the same time (i.e., l revolutions), the pin P2 is ejected from the face of the plate 26 by its associated cylinder 27.

Continued rotation of the plate 28 through two complete revolutions brings about the configuration shown in FIG.'4F wherein the second convolution is being formed. At about 2% revolutions, the pin P3 is ejected such that at the end of the third complete revolution (FIG. 4G), the third convolution is being formed. This process continues with the pins P4-P9 being ejected in succession as the plate 26 reaches about l80 in each revolution until nine full revolutions have been completed as shown in FIG. 4H.

At 9%revolutions (FIG. 4] the shafts 34 and 16 and plate 26 stop in the position shown; while carriage 60 is actuated to move to the left from its position shown in FIG. 4F. However, it does not move as far to the left as shown in FIG. 4A. At this point, a stapling gun 90 mounted on axle 92, is swung counterclockwise into the position shown in FIG. 41 and the portion 88 projecting beyond the plate 68 is stapled to the convolutions formed on the pins P1P9. As the carriage 60 moves to the left from the position shown in FIG. 48 to the position shown in FIG. 4], the cylinder 76 is pressurized whereby piston 78 clamps the tape 68 to the center plate 56. This causes the tape, including the projecting portion 88, to advance to the left.

Following the stapling operation, cylinder 70 is pressurized to move piston 72 and shear 74 downwardly, thereby simultaneously severing the tape 68 and ribbon 54. The cylinder 40 is now pressurized to retract shaft 34 away from shaft 16 whereby the completed bow drops downwardly into a receiving bin, not shown. The carriage 60 is now advanced further to the left and into the position shown in FIG. 4A where the foregoing cycle of operations is again initiated to form another bow.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with a certain specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and arrangernent of parts maybe made to suit requiremepts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In this respect, it will be apparent that the various elements shown in the drawings may be actuated by pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical means, the timing by way of cams or otherwise such elements to achieve the cycle of operations described above being well within the skill of the art.

lclaim:

1. A bow-forming machine comprising a rotatable shaft, means for securing an end of a length of ribbon to said shafi, a plate member secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith, said plate member having a face lying in a plane at right angles to the axis of said shaft, a plurality of pin members carried on said plate member with the longitudinal axes of the pin members being parallel to the axis of said shaft, said pin members being radially spaced from said shaft, means for normally retracting said pin members such that they do not project beyond the face of said plate member, means for rotating said shaft and plate member while ejecting said pin members to project outwardly from said face starting from the innermost pin member and progressing radially outwardly in sequence whereby convolutions of ribbon will be wound about said shaft and successive ones of said pin members to form loops of progressively larger diameter, and means for securing said convolutions together at their point of peripheral contact adjacent said shaft.

2. The bow-forming machine of claim 1 wherein the means for ejecting said pin members comprises fluid-operated cylinders, the piston within said cylinders being connected to said pin members, and the means for retracting said pin members comprises coil springs urging said pistons away from said plate member.

3. The bow-forming machine of claim 1 wherein the means for securing said convolutions together at their point of peripheral contact comprises a stapling gun.

4. The bow-forming machine of claim 1 wherein the means for securing an end of a length of ribbon to said shaft includes a second shaft having an end adapted to engage an end of said first-mentioned shaft such that both shafts rotate in unison, and a clamping device carried on said second shaft for securing the ribbon to said shafts when their ends are in engagement.

5. The bow-forming machine of claim 4 wherein said clamping device comprises a spring-loaded finger having a cam surface thereon which causes said finger to release a ribbon held thereby when said second shaft is moved away from said firstmentioned shaft.

6. The bow-forming machine of claim 5 wherein said pin members are retracted behind said face of the plate member simultaneously with retraction of said second shaft away from the first-mentioned shaft to release a formed bow from said bow-forming machine.

7. The bow-forming machine of claim 3 including means for positioning a tab member between said stapling gun and said shaft prior to actuation of said stapling gun whereby the tab member is stapled to said convolutions at their point of peripheral contact adjacent said shaft.

8. The bow-forming machine of claim 7 wherein said tab member is part of a continuous length of tab material, and including shear means for severing both said continuous length of tab material and said ribbon after actuation of said stapling gun.

9. The bow-forming machine of claim 8 wherein said length of ribbon and said length of tab material are passed between adjacent, parallel plates carried on a carriage, and means for reciprocating said carriage toward and away from said shaft.

10. The bow-forming machine of claim 9 including means carried on said carriage for initially advancing said end of the length of ribbon to said shaft at the beginning of a bow-forming operation. 

1. A bow-forming machine comprising a rotatable shaft, means for securing an end of a length of ribbon to said shaft, a plate member secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith, said plate member having a face lying in a plane at right angles to the axis of said shaft, a plurality of pin members carried on said plate member with the longitudinal axes of the pin members being parallel to the axis of said shaft, said pin members being radially spaced from said shaft, means for normally retracting said pin members such that they do not project beyond the face of said plate member, means for rotating said shaft and plate member while ejecting said pin members to project outwardly from said face starting from the innermost pin member and progressing radially outwardly in sequence whereby convolutions of ribbon will be wound about said shaft and successive ones of said pin members to form loops of progressively larger diameter, and means for securing said convolutions together at their point of peripheral contact adjacent said shaft.
 2. The bow-forming machine of claim 1 wherein the means for ejecting said pin members comprises fluid-operated cylinders, the piston within said cylinders being connected to said pin members, and the means for retracting said pin members comprises coil springs urging said pistons away from said plate member.
 3. The bow-forming machine of claim 1 wherein the means for securing said convolutions together at their point of peripheral contact comprises a stapling gun.
 4. The bow-forming machine of claim 1 wherein the means for securing an end of a length of ribbon to said shaft includes a second shaft having an end adapted to engage an end of said first-mentioned shaft such that both shafts rotate in unison, and a clamping device carried on said second shaft for securing the ribbon to said shafts when their ends are in engagement.
 5. The bow-forming machine of claim 4 wherein said clamping device comprises a spring-loadEd finger having a cam surface thereon which causes said finger to release a ribbon held thereby when said second shaft is moved away from said first-mentioned shaft.
 6. The bow-forming machine of claim 5 wherein said pin members are retracted behind said face of the plate member simultaneously with retraction of said second shaft away from the first-mentioned shaft to release a formed bow from said bow-forming machine.
 7. The bow-forming machine of claim 3 including means for positioning a tab member between said stapling gun and said shaft prior to actuation of said stapling gun whereby the tab member is stapled to said convolutions at their point of peripheral contact adjacent said shaft.
 8. The bow-forming machine of claim 7 wherein said tab member is part of a continuous length of tab material, and including shear means for severing both said continuous length of tab material and said ribbon after actuation of said stapling gun.
 9. The bow-forming machine of claim 8 wherein said length of ribbon and said length of tab material are passed between adjacent, parallel plates carried on a carriage, and means for reciprocating said carriage toward and away from said shaft.
 10. The bow-forming machine of claim 9 including means carried on said carriage for initially advancing said end of the length of ribbon to said shaft at the beginning of a bow-forming operation. 